Changing Cape

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a changing cape made entirely of cotton fabric and configured to provide privacy to a user when changing clothing in an open or public area. The changing cape comprises a cape body configured to fit loosely, extend around the user&#39;s front and back, and have a length sufficient cover at least the user&#39;s knees. The cape body also comprises a top that defines a neck opening and an interior surface that defines an interior space. The changing cape also comprises a pair of hand openings configured to allow the user to conveniently withdraw their hands through the hand openings and into the interior space. At least two pockets are also affixed to the interior surface. In various embodiments, the changing cape is configured to fold compactly, is opaque, and is approximately as wide as the user is tall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a U.S. Utility Patent Application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/315,641, filed on Mar. 2, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to changing capes and, more particularly, to a changing cape configured to enable a user to remain covered up while changing clothes in an open or public area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various patents have been granted that are directed to garments that can be worn in public to enable a user to remain covered up while changing clothes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,083 is directed to a robe-like garment for use in changing clothes. The garment is large and loose-fitting on the wearer, and comprises a hood, a large neck opening, and a pair of short enlarged-diameter arm openings. By contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,611 is directed to a type of garment made from two opposing terry cloth towels which are releasably secured together, with a pocket formed on the inside of one of the towels. The device is disclosed as useful in permitting changing into and out of beach attire. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,864,657; 5,005,217; 5,042,090; 5,101,513; and 5,208,918 all show additional garments, sometimes in the form of robes or privacy devices.

There remains room in the art for an improved changing cape configured to enable a user to remain covered up while changing clothes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods as described by way of example as set forth below.

In one embodiment, a changing cape is provided that is made entirely of cotton fabric and is configured to provide privacy to a user when the user changes clothing while wearing the cape. The changing cape comprises:

-   -   a) a cape body that fits loosely on the user, configured to         extend around the user's front and back and of a length         sufficient to extend down and cover at least the user's knees,         wherein the cape body comprises atop, an outer surface, and an         interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines an         interior space, and wherein the top defines a neck opening;     -   b) a pair of hand openings that are configured to allow the user         to conveniently withdraw their hands through the hand openings         and into the interior space; and     -   c) at least two pockets affixed to the interior surface.

In various embodiments, the changing cape is configured to fold compactly and is opaque.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the changing cape comprises an area for logo placement.

In a particular embodiment, the neck opening comprises double-stitched seams and is 13 inches.

In another particular embodiment, the hand openings are 6 inches.

In a further particular embodiment, the pockets comprise double-stitched seams and are 9.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches high, and 0.5 inch apart from one another. In a still further particular embodiment, the pockets are 22 inches from the neck opening. In yet another particular embodiment, the pockets are configured to be big enough to hold underclothes but small enough that the user can find items easily without the underclothes falling out of the pockets.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is 68 inches wide and 40 inches long.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is 81 inches wide and 58 inches long.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is approximately as wide as the user is tall.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is configured to be long enough that the user can pull the changing cape over their head to enable changing of clothes while the changing cape continues to cover at least the user's knees.

Additional features of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the subject matter of the present invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a changing cape in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of the changing cape as worn by a user, with the user's hands extending through hand openings of the changing cape.

FIG. 3 shows the interior surface of the changing cape with two pockets affixed thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The subject matter of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the present invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Changing Cape

The present invention relates generally to changing capes and, more particularly, to a changing cape configured to enable a user to remain covered up while changing clothes in an open or public area. The present invention is useful in affording privacy to the user while enabling the changing of clothing, such as into and out of swimming gear or beach attire, with provision for efficient storage and retrieval of clothing to be changed. The changing cape may be used by scuba divers, surfers, boaters, campers, swimmers, water sport enthusiasts, and anyone who needs to change clothes on the go and in a public or open area.

The capes are made entirely of cotton fabric, which keeps the user cool in the summer. The cotton fabric is also absorbent, so the user does not need an extra towel. When folded up, the capes are about the size of a thick kitchen hand towel and so are quite compact.

The cape width is typically sized from the wrist out to a user's finger tips. Instead of sleeves, the cape provides openings for the user's hands. Not having sleeves is a benefit of the changing cape of the present invention. A user has enough room inside the changing cape to keep their hands and arms entirely inside of the cape for changing, while the hand openings allow the user to poke their hand(s) out of the cape if they need to grab something, but are small enough that no one can accidentally see through the hand openings when the user pulls their hand(s) inside the changing cape.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, a changing cape is provided that is made entirely of cotton fabric and is configured to provide privacy to a user when the user changes clothing while wearing the cape. The changing cape comprises:

-   -   a) a cape body that fits loosely on the user, configured to         extend around the user's front and back and of a length         sufficient to extend down and cover at least the user's knees,         wherein the cape body comprises a top, an outer surface, and an         interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines an         interior space, and wherein the top defines a neck opening;     -   b) a pair of hand openings that are configured to allow the user         to conveniently withdraw their hands through the hand openings         and into the interior space; and     -   c) at least two pockets affixed to the interior surface.

In various embodiments, the changing cape is configured to fold compactly and is opaque.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the changing cape comprises an area for logo placement.

In a particular embodiment, the neck opening comprises double-stitched seams and is 13 inches.

In another particular embodiment, the hand openings are 6 inches.

In a further particular embodiment, the pockets comprise double-stitched seams and are 9.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches high, and 0.5 inch apart from one another. In a still further particular embodiment, the pockets are 22 inches from the neck opening. In yet another particular embodiment, the pockets are configured to be big enough to hold underclothes but small enough that the user can find items easily without the underclothes falling out of the pockets.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is 68 inches wide and 40 inches long.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is 81 inches wide and 58 inches long.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is approximately as wide as the user is tall.

In another particular embodiment, the changing cape is configured to be long enough that the user can pull the changing cape over their head to enable changing of clothes while the changing cape continues to cover at least the user's knees.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , a frontal view is shown of a changing cape 100 in accordance with the invention. Changing cape 100 comprises a cape body 110 that comprises a top 112 and an outer surface 118. The top defines a neck opening 124.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , a frontal view of changing cape 100 is shown with a pair of hand openings 130 a and 130 b extended to either side. Cape 100 also comprises cape body 110, top 112, outer surface 118, and neck opening 124.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , the interior surface 120 of changing cape 100 is shown. Cape body 110, pair of hand openings 130 a and 130 b, and top 112 are shown. Pockets 140 a and 140 b are shown affixed to the interior surface 120.

General Definitions

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “of” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/of” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the subject matter of the present invention. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, patent, and other reference was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. It will be understood that, although a number of patent applications, patents, and other references are referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art. Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A changing cape made entirely of cotton fabric and configured to provide privacy to a user when the user changes clothing while wearing the cape, comprising: a) a cape body that fits loosely on the user, configured to extend around the user's front and back and of a length sufficient to extend down and cover at least the user's knees, wherein the cape body comprises atop, an outer surface, and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines an interior space, and wherein the top defines a neck opening; b) a pair of hand openings that are configured to allow the user to conveniently withdraw their hands through the hand openings and into the interior space; and c) at least two pockets affixed to the interior surface.
 2. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein the changing cape is configured to fold compactly.
 3. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein the changing cape is opaque.
 4. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein the outer surface comprises an area for logo placement.
 5. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein the neck opening comprises double-stitched seams and is 13 inches.
 6. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein the hand openings are 6 inches.
 7. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein the pockets comprise double-stitched seams and are 9.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches high, and 0.5 inch apart from one another.
 8. The changing cape of claim 7, wherein the pockets are 22 inches from the neck opening.
 9. The changing cape of claim 8, wherein the pockets are configured to be big enough to hold underclothes but small enough that the user can find items easily without the underclothes falling out of the pockets.
 10. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein when the changing cape is 68 inches wide and 40 inches long.
 11. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein when the changing cape is 81 inches wide and 58 inches long.
 12. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein when the changing cape is approximately as wide as the user is tall.
 13. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein when the changing cape is 68 inches wide.
 14. The changing cape of claim 1, wherein when the changing cape is configured to be long enough that the user can pull the changing cape over their head to enable changing of clothes while the changing cape continues to cover at least the user's knees. 